Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
Lana
The guys were off to another early morning practice. I was starting to get used to being in my own company again. It didn’t feel as heavy anymore because I knew, without a doubt, that someone would be home soon. It was temporary.
Stifling a yawn, I made my way to the kitchen, ready to conjure up some caffeine and food to start my day.
After making soup with Lennon, the guys hadn’t given me much time in the kitchen. Conrad was still hellbent on making me rest.
That also meant I’d been eating far more takeout than I wanted to. Time to whip this house into shape.
Not able to handle the quiet, I set my phone on the counter, pulling up one of my favorite morning playlists and getting it started as the beat filled the space. I danced over to the fridge, opening it and then freezing.
I had clearly not been paying enough attention. What fresh food they’d had, we used. Now all that was left were takeout containers piled high in every available space.
I pulled one out, opening it up and gagging at the fuzz growing inside.
Gross. I was definitely not hungry anymore.
My eyes landed on the two rows of drinks at the bottom. They were awful pre-made protein shakes geared toward alphas, and my eyes widened as I read the label. It expired months ago. Thank God the omega ones Conrad got for me were fresh.
The more I dug through the back of the fridge, the worse it got. I was genuinely horrified that I’d eaten anything in this house. Reaching under the sink where they kept the trash bags, I started filling them one by one until everything expired, spoiled, or questionable was out of the fridge.
The only things left were condiments and coffee creamer.
It wasn’t my place to manage their house or baby them, but I liked taking care of people. Cooking for others gave me joy, and giving my brother and his team food that made them feel good, that fueled their games… that was my happy place.
Somebody had to do it before one of them got food poisoning and had to miss a game for eating old takeout. I couldn’t let them fail before they faced off with my asshole exes.
Since the creamer was safe, I made my coffee. I snagged my laptop and a notebook, focusing my attention on a meal plan. I’d start with a week then go from there.
The grocery list was growing bigger, but I also felt more in control than I had in a long time.
I had more than enough money to buy it all, so I didn’t hesitate as I made a bulk order, paying extra on the tip for them to deliver it here, since I was still without a car.
That was another thing I’d have to fix pretty soon.
I lost myself for hours, making plans and looking into more delta-specific meals.
It had been a while since I’d had the chance.
Sutton, my old delta, didn’t buy into that ‘nutrition mumbo-jumbo’ as he called it.
He thought all hockey players deserved the same treatment, and that wasn’t realistic.
There was a reason the league required blood work from everyone, and wanted each person to follow specific regimens.
Granted, it seemed Westgrave didn’t have that anymore.
North Crossing did, before I even came around. It wasn’t my place to step in, and they trusted him far more than they ever wanted to trust me.
I wanted to at least have lunch on the table by the time they got home. I wasn’t exactly an expert on the men in this house yet. I didn’t have their records and histories, but I knew enough to get started.
Thankfully, they had a schedule stuck to the fridge telling me when their long practices and game days were. The one pending on Friday was the only one I had committed to memory.
They might not appreciate me going this far and taking over, but I really needed something to focus on. A way to connect to the girl I used to be, to the things that made me happy, to ground myself.
And this was it.
After organizing the kitchen and putting the food away properly, I started washing all of the containers I’d purchased. Maybe it was a little extra, but I’d even color coded them so there was no confusion.
Music blared as I chopped the vegetables and started the rice and beans, the kitchen soon filling with the savory, vibrant spices of Mexican food.
Burrito bowls were always a hit for everyone. I even made two types of homemade salsa, one without spice and the other appropriately spicy. I wasn’t sure what the others liked, but I knew Conrad loved him some spice.
I had just finished sautéing the steak and chicken when the front door burst open. They were talking loudly until I heard somebody groan. I bit back a laugh and quickly dished up the chicken and steak, a full buffet ready for them when they walked in.
Crossing my arms, I leaned my hip against the counter, waiting for them to enter.
Conrad was first, his face eager. “I knew I smelled it. You made the salsa, didn’t you?” He was going right for the deep red sauce that was waiting. He snagged the big bowl of chips and salsa and plopped down on a stool to dig in.
“Only for you, dear brother,” I teased.
“What is all this?” Mason asked as he came in. He rubbed his eyes before blinking at me. “Is she real? Is this a mirage? Am I just dying of hunger and making all of this up?”
Lennon shoved him through the door. “I’m too hungry for your dramatics.”
“Then you’re in the right place,” I said, grabbing the first bowl and looking up expectantly.
Conrad jumped up and shoved his way to the first spot, giving me the smile I’d missed over the past years. “You know I’m first in line, sis.”
“The usual?” I asked, fighting the urge to cry. This felt like such a big moment, and then I felt overdramatic.
He glanced at the spread before nodding. “A little bit of everything. Extra salsa.”
“You got it,” I said, quickly dishing up his bowl before sliding it over. He grabbed a spoon instead of a fork, digging right in.
“Have I mentioned how much I missed your cooking?” he rumbled, dropping into a chair at the table this time and giving his bowl his full focus like it was his long-lost love.
Mason was next, handing his bowl over. “You know I’m not afraid of spice,” he said, giving me his usual cocky smirk. I shook my head, pointing to each item and waiting for his approval before adding it in until he had a heaping bowl as well.
His reaction was nearly the same as my brother’s.
Cade, as usual, kept his distance, not getting too close to me. “I’ll take everything. Not the hot salsa, though,” he said.
“Oh, the alpha doesn’t like spice.” I pressed my lips together to stop myself from laughing.
“Not in my food,” he retorted, his eyes a bit too intent.
“Fair enough,” I said, filling his bowl and sliding it across the kitchen island.
I tipped my head at Lennon. The redheaded delta looked exhausted. Before I could ask what he wanted, I started dishing him up the things that might give him energy, extra protein and rice, hoping the carbs and boost of protein would help.
“What, I don’t get to give my input?”
“You will,” I said. “I’ll even let you pick the salsa. But you need something to pick you up. You look exhausted. Actually, I did get some stuff to make energy shots. I’ll make that while you guys are eating.”
He blinked. “Energy shots?”
“Spicy or not?” I asked, gesturing to the salsa.
He looked confused, but shrugged. “Spicy.”
I slid his bowl across before turning to Kieran and Wilder. Of course, the beta stood back, letting Kieran go first.
“No steak for me,” Kieran said. The way he looked at me, like he was peeling away my defenses, had me swallowing hard and forcing myself to focus.
I prepared his bowl, going down the line and letting him pick what he wanted. When he had the bowl in hand, he spoke, low and rumbling.
“Thanks, princess. I could get used to this.”
“Good.” Because, honestly, I loved this.
“She’s a caretaker at heart. Just give her a chance and she’ll have you on a diet that’s both delicious and makes you feel amazing. I think that was half the reason I got my position on the Wardens,” Conrad confirmed with complete honesty and conviction.
“In that case, sign me up for one too,” Wilder said.
“Anything you don’t want in it?” I questioned.
He made a face. “Olives.”
“Noted,” I said. “I’ll make sure to keep that out of future dishes, too.”
Before I made his bowl, I leaned over, writing down a note. He eyed it curiously.
“Just making a note so I don’t give you any accidentally.”
Lennon piped up next. “Can you write down that if you give me fish, I’ll die?”
“You’re allergic?” I asked, but he just shook his head. “No, but I will vomit.”
“And I’m the dramatic one,” Mason said.
“Fair enough.” I wrote it down, too.
I finished Wilder’s bowl, sliding it across before glancing at the others. “Any other requests? I’m going to cook, you may as well like what I’m making.”
It was weird, this urge I had to take care of them, to make sure they actually liked my food. Their opinions mattered to me.
Once they were all happily eating, I pulled out the blender and got to work, starting on a mix of electrolytes and natural ingredients that would at least perk them up.
They weren’t full smoothies, more like energy shots.
I pulled out the small bottles I’d bought for this, filling each of them before calling out Lennon’s name.
He looked up, and I tossed it to him. He snatched it out of the air without thinking, shaking the liquid inside and watching it mix, like he was inspecting it.
“What’s in it?”
“Do you have allergies?” I cocked an eyebrow at him.
He shook his head and narrowed his eyes. “No.”
“Then don’t worry about it. Just drink it.”
“Hit me with one for solidarity,” Conrad said, holding up his hand.
I tossed him one, and then one by one, their hands went up. My chest warmed as I pitched them over, not even bothering to hide my smile.
Even if they hated the drinks, they gave me a chance. They trusted me to make something that could help them.
I fucking loved that feeling. This was why I started doing nutrition in the first place, first for my dads, then Conrad, and now them.
“I know it’s bad taste to bring up those assholes again,” Kieran said, giving me a serious look. “But they lost out. This is incredible.” He shook his now-empty container. “I think this is the freshest food I’ve had in a while.”
“We’re way too fucking busy to be doing this for ourselves,” Conrad said. “We definitely needed this.”
I’d only been here a short time, and I already knew he wasn’t exaggerating. Their coach was far more strict than North Crossing’s. Or at least, what I’d known of North Crossing.
The Wardens’ coach had early morning practices and frequent visits with their physios and team doctors. He took their health seriously, but he also worked them just as hard. They were top in the league for a reason.
“This is really good,” Lennon said as he put his bowl in the sink. I noticed his bottle was empty as well. “Thanks.”
High praise from the grumpy delta.
“Wait,” Kieran said, gesturing to the food. “Are you going to eat?”
I waved him off. “I will after I clean a bit.”
“If you think we’re going to let you clean up after you made all this, you’ve lost your mind,” Conrad said.
I knew he’d say that, so I bit back my reply and made myself a much smaller bowl.
“So, we’re all in agreement, right?” Mason said, looking at the others, then down at his food. “That we have to talk to coach and get her on board.”
Conrad threw up his hands. “I’ve been saying that for a week.”
He turned to me and flashed me a grin that was pure trouble.
“Which is why I set up an interview for tomorrow at noon. I hope you’re ready, sis.”